Improvement in razor-strops



NITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

AUSTIN V. M. SPRAGUE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

I M PROVEM ENT lN RAZO R-STRO PS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 210,161 dated November 19, 1878 application filed September 5, 1878.

To all 'whom it may concern: u

Be it known that I, AUsTIN V. M. SPRAGUE, of the city of Rochester, county of Monroe, and State of New York,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Razor- Strops; and I do hereby declare that the fol lowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference. being had to the accompanyin g drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a cross-section inline w w. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section in liney y. Fig. 4 is a perspective'view of the end of the block and the slide which tits therein, said parts being separated. Fig. 5 is an end view of the same. Fig. 6 is a view of a section of the webbing which forms the base of the endless strap.

My improvement relates to those razorstrops that have an endless strap strained by a screw.

The object ot' the invention is to secure simplicity ot' construction and lessen the cost; and it consists in slottin g the end of the block and using in combination therewith a slide of peculiar construction, as hereinafter more fully described.

A represents the block of wood which forms the body of the strop. This is of ordinary form, except at the end next the handle, where it is formed with an open slot or cavity, u, the sides l) b projecting out some distance, as shown. These sides form ways to receive the slide, as will be more fully described.

B is the slide, which fits within the slot. It is made of metal, of a size to just enter the slot and move freely therein. Ou each side it has an ges c c, projecting outward and resting over the edges of the sides b b. In this condition the slide is seated firmly in place,

, but can move forward and back without diiculty. In the center of the slide is formed a hole, d, through which passes the screw f of the handle D, said screw resting at the inner end against a metallic stop, g, that forms a step. The slide B is therefore, in fact, a nut, which moves in and out as the screw is turned.

C is the endless strap of leather, which is attached to a fixed bearing, h, at the outer end of the block, and to the slide B at the inner end, so that it will be stretched as the slide is moved outward.

The novelty in this invention consists in making the slot ain the end of the block open-ended, and combining therewith the slide B, which lls the slot, and provided with the flanges c c, which ride uponthe projecting edges b b. By this means the construction is greatly simplified and the cost is reduced, as

the slot can be cut out at one operation by a suitable tool, and the slide can be cast.

Heretofore in this class of strops a cappiece has been applied o'ver the outer ends of the sides b b, making an' inclosed slot, and this cap, being separate, is difficult to secure fast, and is therefore expensive, and is subject to Ybreakin g away. Pins have also been applied to the inner end of the slide, which work in holes in the end of the block to keep the slide from turning with the screw but these are not onlyexpensive, but are diicult to apply securely, and are subject to twisting under strain. Such devices I do not claim.

The open slot a is so easily cut and the slide B so cheaply made that the minimum of cost is secured, and when the slide is once in place it is secure against twisting, and insures very great strength and durability.

The leather strap C is secured upon a base of woven webbing, fi, by cementin g or gluing, and this webbing, being elastic and extensible, will stretch and shrink in unison with the leather, thereby always keeping the latter taut and straight under strain.

The sides of the block A, at right angles to the leather, are covered with emery or other material, to form hones.

I do not claim, broadly, a nut resting in the end of the block for straining the strap attached thereto; but

I claim- Ina razor-strop, the combination of the openA ended slot a, in the block A and the slide B resting therein, provided with llanges c c, which rest and slide upon the edges b b, as shown and described, and for the purpose specied.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. A. V. M. SPRAGUE. Witnesses:

J AooB SPAHN, R. E. WHITE. 

